Dedicated plugins such as Cableguys' VolumeShaper 4 take this concept to another level, allowing you to set up rhythmic movement that can be taken up to speeds in the audible frequency range, for FM-like buzzing and grunge. Create movement in your ambient drones by setting up a 'ghost' sidechain trigger hit (ie, one that's routed to a compressor's sidechain input, but not your project's audible output), then use this to get a pad moving in intricate ways. Obvious pumping compression isn't just for French house-lovers - it can also be a powerful sound design weapon. So fire up your DAW and let's get started. Whether you work through them methodically or dip in at random when the need for external input arises, there's plenty of inspiration to be had here. But fret not - we have the remedy in the shape of 18 tried and tested techniques guaranteed to keep you on track. Musical sound design is an amorphous, open-ended art, and it can be all too easy to lose sight of what it is you're actually trying to create.